Security fears raised over Rosyth cruise ships
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 28 Jul 2012 14:00
3 Comments
A DALGETY Bay couple were shocked over an apparent lack of customs checks when 850 passengers disembarked from a cruise at Rosyth.
Hazel Neild contacted the Press after she and her husband were on a Fred Olsen cruise from Rosyth to the Norwegian Fjords on board the Boudicca.
There were five ports of call on the eight night cruise in Norway before the ship returned to Rosyth on Sunday at 8.30am.
Mrs Neild, of Lade Braes, said, "There didn't seems to be any customs officers there at all when we came back. People could have drugs, as much cigarettes and alcohol as they wanted, no-one was checking.
"It makes a mockery of all the security measures that are in place at airports around the country.
"After leaving the ship, luggage was brought over and you could take it and go.
"If you're flying from even Edinburgh to London you can get a real going over from customs at the airport.
"If word goes around that stuff can be brought into the country unchecked at Rosyth or any other port these people will find out.
"We're more security conscious these days and at a time when our troops are giving their lives to make the world safer, this can't be right.
"We've heard there are customs officers at Greenock because we heard some passengers complaining about luggage getting dirty from the dogs climbing over them."
Mrs Neild said passports were checked on the way on to the ship but not when the cruise ended.
A Border Force spokesperson said, "Border security is of paramount importance to us. All those coming to the UK are subject to full checks and these were carried out on all passengers on this cruise ship both before they arrived and when they disembarked.
"We maintain thorough border checks to control immigration, protect against terrorism and tackle crime while ensuring that the vast majority of passengers pass through immigration control quickly."
Travel operators supply passenger details in advance, allowing officers to carry out the necessary checks ahead of the ship's arrival at the port. Border Force were also present at Rosyth when the ship docked to carry out any additional checks that were necessary.
In the days when the Euroferry to Zeebrugge was operating, the Press carried stories from some disgruntled passengers who thought customs officers were over-zealous in seizing duty free cigarettes.
This article appeared in Dunfermline Press 30 Jul 12
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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magpiefifer
12 posts
Jul 28, 20:02
Report commentAlthough Mrs Neild didn't see Customs officials I believe that she is jumping to the wrong conclusion.Having been on a cruise recently we arrived back into Britain without seeing any obvious signs of customs control, but were told by our taxi driver at the terminal that dogs are used to check all luggage due to come off the ship.
Perhaps Mrs Neild can verify the details with Fred Olsen.
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******
Jul 28, 20:14
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DunfermlineEast
137 posts
Jul 28, 21:36
Report comment""If you're flying from even Edinburgh to London you can get a real going over from customs at the airport."
Erm, no, never ever, you NEVER go through customs going from Edinburgh to London as that is a domestic flight. You only go through customs coming back from international flights.
Recommend? Yes 21
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midge1
53 posts
Jul 30, 00:56
Report commentmy last trip from rosyth went for breakfast all packed up ready for disembark ,and guy came in thinking cabin was empty ,came up with lame excuse about checking smoke alarm ,when I challenged him he beat a hasty retreat so be warned I reported it but still waiting a reply.from company our cases could have been raided and we wouldnt have known till we were home so be aware folks
Recommend? Yes 12
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